Molecular

Biology

Learning Outcomes
Understand how we know that DNA is the gene<c material. Know that the ow of gene<c informa<on is:
DNA RNA protein

Know how transcrip<on creates the message (mRNA). Know how transla<on decodes the message.

An introduc<on to Viruses: Bacteriophage- bacteria-ea<ng viruses

BoLom Line: A virus is really just a protein coat protec<ng a bit of gene<c material!

Bacteriophage reproduc<ve cycle

But what exactly IS the machinery needed to make copies of the phage? We know how to copy the DNA, yes! But how do you make the protein?

How do we know that DNA is the gene<c material? The Hershey-Chase experiment!

The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

DNA

RNA

RNA

Protein

The Flow of Gene<c Informa<on from DNA RNA Protein

DNA Genes are TRANSCRIBED into RNA messages that are then later TRANSLATED as proteins.

Transcrip<on- a gene is wriLen as a message!

A Transcrip<on Anima<on! (From PBS DNA- The Secret of Life)

hLp://youtu.be/41_Ne5mS2ls

The Gene<c Code

Genes are sequences of nucleotides that encode a message that is later read as a protein.

The words within genes are three letters long! These are called CODONS. RNA is the intermediate message that must later be translated into a protein, which is composed of WHAT MONOMERS???

The Gene<c Code is the RoseLa Stone of Life

ANY of these three codons is read as STOP TRANSLATING!!

If you see Met in a gene, it means START!

Which amino acid is encoded by the codon GCA?

WHY is GCA not the same as ACG?

What is the boLom line of transcrip<on?

DNA is the BLUEPRINT for life (cookbook that cannot leave the nucleus (library).

Genes (recipes for proteins) are encoded in DNA. Genes must be TRANSCRIBED, or wriLen out as messages (copied onto recipe cards). The words of the message are 3-leLer codons Messenger RNA, or mRNA encodes a SINGLE PROTEIN.

(In EUKARYOTES!!!) RNA must be processed before it can be translated

It is as if the genes GOBBLEDEEGOOP that are encoded SCRABBLY in eukaryo<c genomes POOPIDY has a bunch PLIMMPLY of garbled nonsense that screws up this SCHOOP sentence. What does this mean?

Eukaryo<c messenger RNAs must be spliced correctly!!!!

Some Definitions, please! Exon- the correct words in the sentence Intron- The gobbledigoop! Cap- protects the 5 end of RNA Tail- Protects the 3 end of RNA Coding sequence- The sentence put together in the correct format.

TRANSLATION: The ribosome must READ the message as a protein!

The Restaurant analogy:
The genome is like a cookbook that has to be kept in a safe place (the nucleus). Each recipe must be copied and wriLen out (TRANSCRIPTION) to be passed on to the chef (the ribosome). The chef reads the recipe (TRANSLATION) and makes the food (the protein)

Where does it occur? Who are the players? What are the steps?

Transla<on: Where does it occur?

In the cytoplasm, at the RIBOSOME!!!!
n

In case you forgot, the ribosome is for protein synthesis!

Transla<on: Who are the players?

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

The Business end of tRNA- the anticodon!

Transla<on: Who are the players?

Transla<on: What are the steps? An Overview

RNA is like audiotape that s read through a tape player

The tape player analogy

Transla<on: What are the steps?

 Transcrip<on Amino acids are aLached to a tRNA

Ini<a<on: the ribosome subunits come together and the rst tRNA is added on. (Which tRNA???)

Elonga<on: The poly pep<de grows as amino acids are joined together.

Termina<on: The ribosome recognizes a STOP codon

A Transla<on Anima<on!
hLp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41_Ne5mS2ls

Toadstools poisonous because they inhibit RNA polymerase!

The meaning of muta<ons

Deni<ons, please! Muta<on: any change in the nucleo<de sequence of DNA. Mutagen: Any physical or chemical source of muta<on. Mutagenesis: The produc<on of muta<ons.

How do you think the change in the primary STRUCTURE of hemoglobin will aect the FUNCTION of hemoglobin???

Non-Mendelian inheritance Case #3: One gene can aect many characteris<cs

Pleiotropy

Viral and bacterial gene<cs

Learning Outcomes:
Understand the life cycle of phage Know how retroviruses replicate Know how bacteria can transfer gene<c material.

Viral Gene<cs- Ly<c cycle

Viral DNA may ALSO become incorporated into the host s genome! The human genome is 3-8% viral DNA that has become an inert xture.

Viruses can incorporate their DNA into the hosts chromosome without destroying it.

RNA viruses use RNA as their gene<c material.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a newly discovered phenomenon with exci<ng applica<ons!

hLp://youtu.be/H5udFjWDM3E

The HIV virus is an RNA virus

HIV is a very effective virus- it remains dormant long enough to be transmitted. Therapies that target HIV include inhibitors of reverse transcriptase, and protease inhibitors.

HIV Replica<on Video

hLp://www.youtube.com/watch? v=RO8MP3wMvqg

Plant viruses are serious threats to agriculture!

Bacterial Gene<cs
3 modes of DNA transfer between bacteria:

1. Transformation- DNA from environment

Transduc<on- transfer of DNA via a virus

Conjuga<on- bacterial ma<ng

How does DNA become part of the recipient cells genome???

F plasmids can transfer genes between bacterial cells.

Plasmids can carry components from many dierent bacteria

Real world example: R plasmids can make some bacteria resistant to an<bio<cs.

hLp://evolu<on.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/ news/080401_mrsa

A pa<ent aicted with methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus